Details
On Sat, 6 Nov 1999
Craig Alexander Rothhammer Email address wrote:
The USS GRAPLE is (ARS-7), a Diver class rescue/salvage ship. I served
on her sister ships, USS GRASP (ARS-24) & USS BOLSTER (ARS-38).
The salvage navy was heavily engaged in the Korean War, close in, and
often under fire. They provided salvage support to the Army, Navy,
Air Force & Marines, Search & Rescue, UDT & special ops operations,
towing, interdiction/patroling, Humanitarian and many other tasks.
I have listed below the records of the eight Diver Class ARS's that I
have certain knowledge of their participation in the Korean War. Many
of them were also WWII and Vietnam veterans.
In the Salvage Navy, we understood ARS not to mean Auxiliary Rescue &
Salvage, but rather "Always Ready Ships". If there was a dirty job to
do, we were the one's to call upon. We paid for this respect in sweat
and blood.
See: Ship History
USS RECLAIMER (ARS-42)
Displacement 2,160 Length 213'6" Beam 43'0" Draw 14'0" Speed 16 k
Complement 120 Armament 4 40mm Class Diver
Reclaimer recommissioned on 1 December 1950 for service in the Korean
conflict and, after shakedown off San Diego towed AP-23 to Hawaii.
Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 12 February 1951, she then proceeded on
across the Pacific touched at Majuro and Guam, and reached Sasebo, Japan
29 April.
On 8 May Reclaimer got underway to aid SS Muhlenberg Victory, grounded
on Uku Shima, an island near Sasebo. With the aid of Grasp (ARS-24), she
refloated the ship a week later and on 27 May towed YO-179 to Pusan,
Korea. She then steamed to Wonsan for patrol duties between that port
and Songjin. In mid-June, she escorted Walke (DD-723), damaged by a
mine, to Sasebo. Six days later, she returned to Pusan to tow the
burning merchantman Plymouth Victory, back to Sasebo where the fire was
extinguished. During August Reclaimer assisted in minesweeping and laid
buoys in Wonsan Harbor. On 7 September, she refloated the beached
Japanese LST Q 081 at Kangnung, Korea. On 10 October, with Yuma
(ATF-94), she towed the Royal Navy's hospital ship Mairne which had
lost a propeller, on a westward passage through the crowded and narrow
Shimonoseki Straits. This was the only hospital ship supporting U.N.
forces at that time.
On 22 January 1952, she departed Yokosuka to return to her homeport,
Pearl Harbor, where she remained until 21 October. Returning to WestPae
with YC 104 in tow, Reclaimer reached Sasebo on 17 November.
On 2 December she arrived at Sokeho Hang, Korea, to rescue two LST's
aground in heavy seas. With one of the LST's in tow she reached Sasebo
on 18 December. After brief duty with the Wonsan blockade force,
Reclaimer took SS Gulf Haven in tow while she was foundering in a
typhoon, and successfully brought her to Japan.
Reclaimer continued to operate in Japan and Korea until returning to
San Diego on 25 July 1953.
Reclaimer earned six battle stars for Korean War service and one
battle star for Vietnam.
Respectfull Submitted,
Craig Rothhammer craigr@cnmnetwork.com
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